This is just a collection of a few pictures taken Feb 19 at the Auditorio Municipal when we were invited to become patrons of the folk dancing group organized by the Mission Cultural, which is a national organization when has put together a program at the local branch of the Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua in Ojinaga.We are going to build a website for the folk dance group and attempt to promote them regionally. Right now, all we have are these pictures, and the brief descriptions of them, but there will be more to come later!
The persons at the podium at the beginning of the event. The person talking on the cell phone is Sra. Genoveva Cervantes de Montoya, the wife of mayor Jorge Montoya, and owner of Comercial Rio Grande, a sort of department store located in downtown Ojinaga. Genoveva is also the president of the DIF, which is the local branch of what is sort of like the Mexican version of social services. To the right of her is the sub-director of the DIF, whose name we didn't catch. To the left, with his arms crossed, is Fernando Aguirre, the Sindico Municipal, which is sort of like the second most important post in the Municipal government after that of mayor (presidente municipal).
One of the first event of the presentation, which was organized around the unveiling of a banner, which was sort of like done in the style of the unveiling of a statue, or of a plaque, was a ceremony of the Tarahumara Indians performed by the students from one of the local schools (and I didn't take notes, so I can't tell you which school it was, but these are some of the same students that are found in the archive of pictures from the parade which took place for the Dia de la Revolucion, which are found here at OJINAGA.COM.
The main event of the presentation was the series of spectacular performances of the Baile Folklorico, which we are now the sponsors of this fabulous group. In this picture we have dancers from three different dancers, and right in front is Fausto's Art Gallery's own Rocio Duran, and next to her the extremely well-known and popular Leticia Millan, a retired schoolteacher and PRI activist.
Another highlight of he performance was a series of renditions of popular and traditional songs performed by a "rondalla", as it is called - a chorus that accompanies itself with guitars and other traditional instruments.
One of the performers in the rondalla turned out to be our friend Estela Diaz, the director of the local museum, who played the stand-up bass, or "tololoche" as it is called.
Next, Estela Diaz came out with a small musical accompaniment of two guitars and an accordian, and with another vocalist (whose name we didn't get - sorry!) just about stole the show with a couple of very spirited harmonizing duets. She got rave cheering and applauses from the audience! (And that included us!)
Leticia Millan and Estela Diaz were not the only well-known Ojinaguenses who appeared among the performers. Frankly, we were expecting to see all college and public school students. We are also pleasantly surprised to see Dra. Trini Jeronimo, a specialist on the staff of the Centro de Salud, among the dancers. Her group delivered a smashing performance!
Some of the whirling and flashing displays of embroidered skirts that lit up the stage at the Auditorio Municipal during the brilliant performances of the Baile Folklorico of the Mission Cultural.
These dancers are shown in the costumes of the State of Veracuz. These dancers have just finished dancing La Bamba.